Page 49 of Savage

Jaxon quirked his head to one side, those deep eyes flashing. “I wanted to see if you’d try and hide it.”

He delivered one of those smiles of his that made me want to yank a clump of my hair out. I attempted to calm my nerves. ‘Stand up to him’ my backbone screamed.

“Why would I do that?” I used a voice that suggested he had no authority over me so why would I need to hide anything? “You’re not my dad.”

“No, and I’m not mine either but I can tell you he wouldn’t be happy you’re smoking in the house,” he drawled with a superior look. Like he held all the cards. Which of course he did, as usual.

Ratting us out would surely be considered a dick move, even by my stepbrother’s standards so I snorted. “So, you’re going to tell on me, is that it?” I sniped. I so didn’t see Jaxon as the type to snitch but who knew? If the sexy tosser could get me in trouble he would.

He uncrossed his arms and held his hand out. “Give,” he instructed in a firm voice.

I took another step back, the sofa behind me bumping the backs of my legs and I almost fell. “No. It’s mine,” I replied like he was asking me to hand over my favourite pet, shaking my head. I needed to stop letting him get under my skin.

Melody cleared her throat nervously from just behind me as Jaxon menaced toward us, clicking his fingers under my nose. “Give it to me or I’ll take it off you. And I won’t be gentle about it,” Jaxon threatened softly. His voice was now a husky whisper. The type that could melt your insides. I warily eyed those perfect lips of his, recalling how they’d felt against my own that day by the pool. Drat! Now was not the time for naughty flashbacks. The whole penis-touching incident could also do one!

Melody drew in a sharp breath, clearly enjoying the show.

My mouth suddenly started working by itself. “I see. What if I don’t? Will you strip-search me for it?” I provoked, yanking the tail of the tiger.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Maybe I should. You need roughing up a bit. I’m already visualising duct tape across your mouth.”

“Kinky,” I huffed with a sarcastic smile.

“And your arms tied behind your back.”

Huffing, I pulled my hand from around my back and handed him the half-smoked cigarette. “You’re such a fricking bully it’s untrue. Here. And congratulations on destroying my buzz,” I complained moodily.

He arched an unsympathetic eyebrow as he drew the joint to his lips. “If I wanted to destroy you, sunshine, I’d do more than take a joint off you,” Jaxon pointed out as he took a long drag. Confidence dripped from his tone and the sexual undertone was so blatant, even Melody released a pant of air.

Heat pooled between my legs. Why the heck did I find his threats such a turn-on? He did it on purpose too, and said those types of things to fire me up. Then he withdrew when he’d done the damage.

My eyes were suddenly drawn to the tip of the joint as it glowed when he inhaled. “I hope you choke,” I muttered, folding my arms across my chest. The gesture was partly due to my annoyance and the fact that my nipples had tightened at how sexy he looked. I eyed the way he held the butt in between his lips so self-righteously between his finger and thumb. You could almost taste the intensity as he took the drug into his lungs.

He blew a plume of heady sweet smoke in my face, stating. “That’s not very nice,” he began before pulling back the joint and assessing the butt. “It’s good stuff. Where’d you get it?” He choked slightly and motioned towards the joint with a flick of his head.

Unfolding my arms, I pushed my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “Melody knows a guy.”

“Cool. I may ask the sweet Melody to get me a stash,” Jaxon joked, directing this at my friend, his voice now laced with charm. He was such a man-whore. The corners of Melody’s lips perked up at his words.

I rolled my eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t fall out of the back of my head. I felt extra annoyed at the attention he was suddenly giving Melody. “Won’t you get into trouble?” I added with a devious smile.

“Who the fuck with? Marcus? I don’t think so.” His cheeks reddened slightly and it gave me a thrill. He liked to think he ruled the roost when he didn’t.

My brow knitted, I knew Jaxon didn’t give a shit about what his father thought and that he wasn’t afraid of him, not even slightly. I embellished my point. “Aren’t you regularly checked for drugs in the army? You know, the peeing in a cup thing.” I attempted to belittle him with my words. The thought of someone like Jaxon being forced to pee was laughable, but surely, he’d have to. In the army, everyone would have to play by the rules, even someone as mule-headed as my stepbrother.

Jaxon was unaffected and just shook his head. As usual, he had an answer for everything. “Not this week,” he replied with a smug expression. I watched as he closed his eyes and took another drag, his face calm and relaxed. When he opened them, he wore that tell-tale glaze. He was far from stoned at that point. We all were but oh how that would change.

Melody shuffled beside me. “Hey, share the wealth,” she instructed, holding out her hand. Jaxon opened his eyes and turned his head to her. That sharp gaze of his roaming over her pretty features and I felt another twinge of annoyance as he handed her the cigarette. The one he’d just had his perfect lips wrapped around. She took a long drag before passing it back towards me.

“Can anyone join the party?” Chris suddenly said as he sauntered into the room with a boyish grin. His face lit up as he saw Melody. I knew he fancied her; it was so blatant that it was almost embarrassing. My lips curled as she fluffed her hair as he approached.

Taking a deep swallow, I replied. “Why not? It’s already been hijacked by your brother,” I grunted, taking another deep drag. Unfortunately, I took in too much which forced me to cough. In terms of embarrassing moments, that had to rank somewhere at the top. My weakness encouraged a bark of laughter from Jaxon who then turned to grab a beer off the table behind him.

Shaking his head he scoffed under his breath, “Fucking amateurs.”

I watched with narrowed eyes as I attempted to recover. Melody even had to slap my back as I was doubled over, how mortifying.

Disregarding us, Jaxon threw himself into one of the leather sofas which sat around the coffee table. It was covered with our quota of booze for the night. I watched as he lazily swung one leg over the armrest, totally chilled out. Great, it appeared he was staying. He looked so satisfied with himself that I itched to slap that smug smile off his face.

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